Why I Chose to Pursue Occupational Therapy

November 10, 2021

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Career in Kinesiology

One of the many questions I receive as an undergraduate student is what I will use my education for and why I chose to pursue the direction of occupational therapy. Coming in as a first-year student, I was not sure what I wanted to do with my life as every incoming student relates to. I was sure I wanted to work in the medical field, but I knew I did not want to pursue nursing just like everyone else seemed to do that was around me. Thankfully, UWEC has an amazing kinesiology program here that offers so much variety it made it almost impossible to choose a kinesiology major. I decided on Exercise Science as my major, knowing this degree offered so many potential career opportunities without running into the issue of losing credits or falling behind with graduating on time. This major is focused on the study of human movement while emphasizing nutrition, rehabilitation, prescription, and much more. Being a part of the Kinesiology Department was not until my sophomore year of college that I fully decided I wanted to fully pursue occupational therapy as my career choice. I was exposed to many career paths such as strength training, cardiac rehabilitation, physical/occupational therapy, etc. that I was able to fully grasp an understanding of each responsibility I would be able to withhold if I chose that path. The reason behind my decision to commit to occupational therapy stems from my own firsthand experiences as a child and job shadowing I was able to complete my first year of college.

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Personal Experience

As a child, I suffered from sensory, cognitive, and balance development originating from the reason for my adoption. I was adopted when I was almost three years old, so I did not have the essential developmental stages most infants and toddlers were able to obtain. When my parents adopted me, I could barely walk straight up, and I showed major sensory processing issues. I lacked physical touch so I would cry and become upset if I were hugged or held tightly to someone. Fine motor skills were also something that was delayed for me growing up and took a few years to gain the knowledge and strength to be up to par with kids my age. As an adult in college now, I was able to job shadow an occupational therapist and realize how closely I related to these children receiving treatment. It was like a revelation to me that looking back on my own childhood and experiences, I should have received professional help for my development delays. This was a major reason I wanted to pursue occupational therapy with a focus on pediatrics as my career choice because I want to help children improve their health to better their lives. Occupational therapy in children focuses on improving fine motor skills, sensory processing, and visual-motor skills which is something I have found an interest in pursuing. Pediatric occupational therapists strive to support families with their children ranging from toddlers to youth within any practice office such as schools, hospitals, private practices, and more. I am hopeful I can make a difference by connecting personally to the future clients I work with while impacting and changing their lives in other ways than just physical.

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